5 Ways to Turn Family Photos into an Effortless Feat
Thoughts to consider before your family portrait session to give you peace of mind.
There are lots of topics to cover when planning for a family photo shoot. What will I wear? Where will we take the photos at? What will the weather be like? What if the kids don’t cooperate? What if none of the photos turn out? A simple event that started as a sweet, innocent idea suddenly has been turned into a ball of anxiety. From a photographer’s standpoint, these thoughts can be fixed by covering some basics. Here are 5 ways to give yourself peace of mind before your family photo shoot:
1. Know the Use.
A simple base question to ask yourself when beginning the family portrait journey. What will these photographs’ use be? Will they have multiple uses? Think about if you want them for holiday cards, your home decor, or simply social media use.
Know the Use
2. Plan Your Colors.
Think about what these photos are being used for – the holidays, your home, or for your personal Facebook profile picture? If you are having family portraits done for the holidays and Christmas cards think about the feeling you want to evoke for your holiday greeting. What color theme will help you achieve this goal? The holidays are warm, welcoming, and friendly so start with looking at rich, warm colors. Also keep in mind the number of people in the portraits. If you want a rich purple and toned yellow color palette, make sure not everyone has the same colored shirt as it will mash everyone into one. Don’t be afraid to introduce patterns and have fun individualizing each outfit!
Plan Your Colors
3. Talk About Location.
You are having Christmas portraits done with rich, warm colors, but you are posed sitting in sleek stainless-steel chairs and a harsh studio setting. A nice color scheme is wasted when your family photos feel out of place, cold, and unfriendly. Location can make or break a photo shoot. A spot that may not look like much to someone may be the dream location for a photographer. Talk to the photographer about the feel of the shoot you are hoping for to confirm a spot that will work correctly to match your vision. One thing I like to do is to brainstorm places with clients that may have a significance or meaningful history with their family that may be an opportunity to capture as well.
Talk About Location
4. Let Kids Be Themselves.
Photo shoots are a strange and unfamiliar atmosphere for kids. Put yourself in their shoes - some stranger has shiny alien-looking equipment and is trying to make you smile. It may take a while for them to feel comfortable. Often the worry of the parents shows through in their expressions because they are embarrassed at the response of their children or disappointed in how they believe the portrait session is going along. When parents relax, the kids can sense this. I take a different approach to portraits and allow families to just be themselves. When individuals are thinking about how they look, it shows. When the individual is just showing what they feel with the group of people around them, that is not just seen but felt by the viewer. I allow plenty of time for kids to get comfortable with the setting and show their true selves. So take a deep breath, think about those you love around you during a session and it will be evident through your portraits.
Let Kids Be Themselves
5. Trust the Photographer.
When you invest in a professional photographer’s services, trust their skills while at the shoot. As a client, you should not be worried about how everyone is posed or what the background looks like. Leave these concerns to the photographer. With my clients, I review prior to the session any type of specific shots they may be looking for. But, I am always aware that “the shot” they are looking for may happen a half-second after they think the shot has been taken. When guards are taken down, a true masterpiece can be captured. Another important note to make is to be communicative with your photographer from the beginning. Let them know any reservations with the shoot you may have and they will be able to help you through the entire process.
Trust the Photographer
Live by faith & share through fotos.
Senior Photos Don't Need To Be Cheesy
Why stick with traditional Senior portraits?
Senior photos. I remember the days when everyone passed around their wallet-sized prints and wrote a note on the back for each of their classmates.
I also remember at least half of the images were taken by a "quantity over quality" type studio, where they put the Senior in the same sitting position that they have for the last 340/340 Seniors. Each portrait is the same type of shot, the same tilt of the head, and about 20 variations of the same pose.
Now stop. If you're a photographer reading this, you're already frustrated, and if you're a Senior or the parent of a Senior, please pause and answer this question... Why in the world would you like to remember your/your child's last year of high school- this huge milestone of your/their lives- by these cheesy portraits that look like everyone else?
As an artist, I get bored of the same old work, whether I am the one creating the work or watching others create the same old work, I just get plain tired. And so I'm tired of Senior Portraits for what the majority of people find them to be, just another checkmark on their list before graduation; I'm tired of the redundancy and the traditional posing, lighting, the godforsaken same backgrounds that just are not natural in any world (please search "cheesy photo backdrops" for plenty of examples), and for the lack of better words- I'm tired of the lameness and the artificial, insincere personalities that Seniors are offered in these "quantity over quality" studios. Senior portraits are about YOU, the Senior, and should be personalized to your style and your interests.
Senior photos don't need to be cheesy. Senior photos should be a memorable experience and a fun way to show and record for your children, your children's children, and even for you to remember who you are here and now.
And for the record, I believe in the "QUALITY over quantity" argument of photography.
Behind the scenes
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YPA's Where Are They Now: Leah Schonauer
YPA News feature updating my adventures and photographic career since being a part of the YPA Mentorship Program in 2014.
Extremely honored and humbled are the only ways I can describe seeing my name on the Young Photographers Alliance News page. These past two years since the YPA Mentorship Program has been a whirlwind, with lots of different directions in my photographic career and life in general. Find out my recent adventures in my self-written article on the YPA website!
Read my YPA Where Are They Now: Leah Schonauer article by clicking the link or the photo below.
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Yosemite
Checking off my bucket list.
We all have personal goals, whether it be people we want to meet, places we want to see, or something we want to learn. Sometimes these goals are out of the question for the time being, but we always secretly hope to make them happen.
Going to see Yosemite has been one of my goals for years. I don't know what interested me so much about it, other than photographs I had seen in textbooks throughout my school years and always wanted to see it from my own perspective. As a nanny in Los Angeles, I've had incredible opportunities to travel around California and other places that I never thought would be possible for me. If you have a dream you want to make a reality, then you have to be aware of possible opportunities and make the best of them. Some goals we have for ourselves are small: maybe to run a mile, to perform at a big event, maybe it's a dream job. In order to do any of these things, we need to be dedicated and start with small steps, working our way up to the goal and maybe pushing farther than what our original goal was. We also need to remember to be open to God's plans and opportunities given to us (I like to think they're little winks from God).
I was able to stay in Yosemite for only a few hours, but I am happy I had this incredible chance to see such a beautiful place. The first view I saw of the valley, I have to admit that I teared up a little. There's something about this artwork completely made by the hands of God that gets me, and I am glad to have been able to have the chance to see one of his "pieces" first hand. I'm sharing some photos (some iPhone photos thrown in too) from the day at Yosemite spent with my cousin Becca, but I hope someday you'll be able to see these sights first hand.
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Bloom Where You Are Planted
Symbolism in the little things.
I bought an flower from the 99 Cent store in town to bring a little life into my room, if I can't have my very own garden. The tag said it was an african violet, but I think it's a type of pansy. I thought it would be a simple thing to take care of, I mean it fit in a small cereal bowl that I planted it in (totally using my resources here), I mean what could go wrong? I set it in my room and watered it when I thought it might be a little dry, it looked like it had some sun in the afternoon, since the sun sets where my window is. "It'll be fine," I thought.
Reality. My plant died. Well became very close to dying; it was droopy and sad looking, and the once blooming buds were shriveling. I asked my mom if I should just throw it away because there wasn't much more I could do. I began to realize the soil was just too dry, as I had thought I may have overwatered it before. Soon, I learned that watering it in the morning and at night helped my little flower, as I saw the color come back into the buds. I rearranged my room and I sat the tiny cereal bowl garden in my window on a stand, so it had more of a chance to see the sun through the day. I counted the blooms. One... two... three... water in the morning... water at night. It began to droop again, maybe too much water? Water in the morning, water a little at night. Four, five, six, seven. A week went by, I was learning to care for this little gem as it bloomed right where I planted it. Eight, nine, ten, eleven! More and more blooms popped up. Every day there seems to be more. I now have 19 blooms on a flower that I planned to throw away when things were looking a little rough and the water had dried up.
Bloom where you're planted.
Sometimes the first place we are planted is a little rough, drying up our inspiration and hopes. Maybe we're losing the life we once had. The next place we plant ourselves is a little better, we start to learn what works for us and what doesn't so much. Sometimes we fall. But we look to The Light and slowly, but surely find our way and find ourselves with more blooms of joy than we ever dreamed were possible in an idea that began in the size of a cereal bowl.
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Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas
Portraits of my friends Lynzie & Bronson in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Since I've started living in the Los Angeles area, I've had unexpected and long awaited traveling opportunities with some of my "life goal" destinations. Not only have I been given the chance to see places around Southern California, but another spot on my list to see was Las Vegas, Nevada.
It was an amazing opportunity to meet up with my friends Lynzie and Bronson in Las Vegas. They had been planning their trip out for months, and I only a week, but I wanted to meet up with them when we were just hours away (a lot closer than being across the country!). Lynzie and I have been friends since kindergarten and they both live near where I am from in Ohio. So, in order to meet up with them, we in a way did a 'photo for travel' trade and I got to see the city in the process. Nothing like traveling with your friends and taking great photos along the way! Here are some of my favorite shots at Caesar's Palace and on our walks around downtown. (More to come in the future of my adventures traveling in Vegas and other places!)
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Los Angeles: Part 4
Simple is key.
Week 4
January 23-29
A simple week. And simple images to reflect it.
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Los Angeles: Part 3
A pretty sweet view of the mountains, s'mores, and my new obsession In-N-Out Burger.
That moment when you're driving up a mountain and then think, holy smokes, is this even real?
Week 3
January 16 - 22
We went to Lake Arrowhead, California to help Todd's uncle move into his new home. This was the perfect opportunity to see some views in the mountains (and not even the tallest ones). They are along the San Andreas fault line and the view overlooks San Bernardino below. Here are some fun views along the way. Look for the jeep in the second image and the houses built on top of the mountain in the third image.
The beautiful view out the back door of the house at Lake Arrowhead.
In-N-Out Burger. It happened. Oh man. I finally understand what all the hubbub is about with this place. It felt like we were at an auction or a fair waiting for our order. I mean, it was actually a lot of fun waiting in line, who would have ever guessed! I went the traditional route and ordered a cheeseburger, fries, and a strawberry milkshake, and my verdict is that I better start working out more and get a another job to keep up with my cravings of this place.
Michelle and Lana ate there for the first time, too. Lana tasted a little bit of Michelle's vanilla shake and then wanted to drink the whole thing. She literally cried when it was all gone, which isn't that far fetched of a reaction.
Some of the other fun activities of the week included shrimp + cilantro tacos at Cafe Rio in Manhattan Beach, s'more night by the fire pit (yes, this happened in January, I am totally pumped about the weather out here), game night featuring Mancala, blueberry pancakes at Uncle Bill's Pancake House in Manhattan Beach, and the Farmers Market in El Segundo on Main Street.
Of course I can't leave out photos of my adventures with Lana around town through the week. This week we went down to the beach, the farmer's market, and even took a ride with Uber (which is probably the most convenient idea ever). Also as a side note: she is quite the stylish little lady.
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Los Angeles: Part 2
Santa Monica, The Revenant, and Lana.
Week 2
January 9 - January 15
This past week's adventures included a little more (okay, a lot more) of the beach. On Saturday morning I drove to Santa Monica. I even drove on the 405 (fun fact: in California, they call highways "the-405" rather than "I-77") with 6 lanes of cars and enjoyed it, I'd like to think Pittsburgh traffic prepared me for such nonsense. I walked from where I parked all the way to the pier and I passed the time with some touristy shopping for postcards and keychains until all the shops and vendors started opening around 11:00 AM. The pier is filled with rides and a ferris wheel, musicians and an arcade, and even restaurants. The pier is a fun atmosphere and the view at the end is just incredible, the ocean always amazes me.
Saturday night I couldn't help myself, I needed to watch The Revenant and I am so happy I did. Such a beautifully done film and that goes to credit the acting, cinematography, music, and story. A must watch especially for photographers and artists, especially.
Sunday morning I went with a neighbor to a church service held at El Segundo High School, which is actually used a lot in movies and TV shows including Superbad, The Hot Chick, Joe Dirt, 90210, and others.
In the midst of these fun outings, I was kicked with some type of cough/sickness. But what better way to forget about a runny nose when you can walk along the beach and see the mountains!
Here are a few of the outings Lana and I took this week around town.
Shot of the week. We had just went outside and walked a little down the street. Good little Lana waved to every person she saw, and some trees and inanimate objects thrown in there too. She was a little bummed when they didn't wave back. It's so easy to just settle for iPhone photos, but I'm hoping to bring my camera with me more often.
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Print Portfolio
My print portfolio case by Shrapnel Design & my final selected portfolio images.
As you may know, I graduated at the end of June this past year from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. In order to graduate, one of the requirements was to show a print portfolio to the faculty and at the Portfolio Show. This portfolio book is also a tool to show potential employers your work that may not be displayed directly on your website portfolio, but is still consistent in style. The portfolio includes my best work created up until graduation, along with an artist statement. It is a difficult self-assignment because of all the decisions that need to be made, and in a timely fashion. These decisions include what type of case, plastic sleeves or no plastic sleeves, what type of paper to print on if you are printing yourself, choosing which images show your overall and consistent style; from there, the layout of the images on the page, and many more technicalities. A lot of time and thought went into this print portfolio, although all the prep work goes unseen.
I chose to order my white aluminum case from Shrapnel Design and use plastic sleeves to protect the prints. My portfolio is 11x17 in order to show the closest crop size as possible to the originals, and printed at full bleed. The average number of images in a portfolio should be about 15-25 and display your technical skills and creative ability, in a consistent manner that reflects your branding. An artist statement about my work is displayed before the images. The cover of my portfolio reflects the watermark that I use for social media which "Faith Through Fotos" printed at the bottom.
So here it is, my artist statement (able to be clicked on to read more easily) and my print portfolio from this past year!
Live by faith & share through fotos.
Welcome to Los Angeles!
New adventures for 2016, starting off the New Year in beautiful Los Angeles!
Big news for 2016, I moved to the great and wonderful Los Angeles on the first of the year. This has been an incredible opportunity so far and I've decided to do a weekly blog about my adventures on the west coast.
This first week has been a dream! I flew out of Cleveland, OH which was actually my first flight, ever. I had a layover in Chicago and then was off again to LAX. Luckily I had the window seat for the first flight, but not so lucky with the second flight. But regardless, I made sure I was able to see out the window and get some shots of the gorgeous sunset. I will never forget as we were about to land in Los Angeles, the sun was just setting and lights were just starting to come on, it looked like a Christmas tree! As I looked out and saw the ocean, the flight attendant spoke, "Welcome to Los Angeles".
So the reason behind moving out to Los Angeles.. I was given the opportunity to work as a nanny for the sweetest family. The parents, Todd and Michelle, have an 18 month old, busy, bundle of happiness named Lana. I can easily say this is the most entertaining and favorite job I've ever had, and it's only been a week.
Week 1
January 1 - January 8
So far, I've been able to see around the town I'm living in, and travel to several beaches along Southern California. I've been able to see El Segundo Beach and bike through Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and all the way to Redondo Beach Pier along The Strand, which is a biking path. The weather has been a little strange off and on with El Niño, rain and thunderstorms after having a drought for four odd years. Oh well, at least it reminds me a little bit of the midwest weather.
This experience has led me to meet some amazing people, and I'm excited to see where else it will take me! Lesson of this developing story: don't be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and go exploring the world, if it's across town or across the country. Do new things, talk to new people, enjoy yourself, and give thanks for the blessings and opportunities God puts in your path.
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A "Modern Antique" Project
Bringing a little life into the style of antique portraiture in these Mock Wedding portraits with color.
About a year ago, I posted this photo on Instagram..
"When I heard about The Rescued Film Project (@rescuedfilm), it reminded me of one old photo I picked up at an antique mall several months ago in Wexford, PA. There's such a wonderful mystery about a photo without names, dates, places, or knowing the photographer that saw a specific scene. Was this taken on his or her way to work? How old was the photographer? Why was he or she drawn to the moment? I encourage you, with all old photographs, to appreciate the memory and time that it holds, and not to forget the life that breathes in it, still."
With that said, I have this love for antique photos, they just make me so curious. I was inspired to "recreate" photos to mimic the style of antique portraiture. I actually shot these before I graduated. I shot these in May earlier this year. The reason I haven't shared these sooner is because I've been having a creative block with this set of images. Sometimes this happens, and I've realized that I just have to wait it out and let them become what they need to be in order to be shared. I started this project thinking I wanted to share photos that looked worn and sepia tone or black and white. But after months of working with these, I decided that other than the first image, I would leave them images in color to let them come to life. Often times when we take a look at old family photos, we put this "tone" to them and can't or don't imagine what life really looked like other than in the photo. And so, I left these images in color, with an antique wedding setting, style, and wardrobe to not forget the life that has been involved in every photo ever taken regardless of time period, and the life that breathes in it, still.
Below is a before and after, showing the extensive work in Photoshop to make the atmosphere eerie and intriguing in this specific photo.
Behind the Scenes
A very special thanks to the people who made this shoot possible...
Models: Daniel & Bethany Snoke
Wardrobe: Shiloh Leath
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On Veterans Day
Final images from my shoot inspired by Call of Duty, with behind the scenes and before and after images.
Final image from Collin's shoot used for my print portfolio.
My inspiration for this shoot originally came from Call of Duty. My brothers used to be in love with the game, and gosh darn it, their promo photos are so good. Google Image search "Call of Duty" and you will agree completely. Plus, my friend Collin has been wanting to do a shoot for quite some time using all of his airsoft gear. We did the shoot in two sessions, one at sunrise and one at sunset, which makes for a pretty long day, but the crew had a nice long break for naps between. The team included Collin Galbraith as the model, Chelsea Black and my brother Jonathan Schonauer as assistants.
Although this was a personal project inspired by a video game, on a serious note, I'd like to dedicate these images to all the Veterans that have served our country. I take every thing I have for granted on a daily basis, forgetting the freedoms that I have, thanks to the brave American troops this country has, and our Awesome God. I debated sharing these images on Veterans Day because I didn't want them to be "offensive" in any way to make military or war look "easy" or "pretty" with all the Photoshop and setting up this shoot took. And I hope that that message doesn't get passed on through the images. I want these photos to represent the soldiers as individual people and be a reminder of the incredible sacrifice they have made. It's not much, but I just want these images to say "Thank you!".
Below is a before and after, showing the extensive work in Photoshop to make the atmosphere eerie and intriguing in this specific photo.
Behind the Scenes
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Wake Up, Sleeper
Final images revealed from my personal project, "Wake Up, Sleeper" in collaboration with makeup artist Alyssa Emigh and my friend Victoria Venskoske. Script from a class also included that I have integrated with this short series.
One of my favorite images, and the final image I used in my print portfolio.
I've been debating the way I should go about sharing this group of images for several months now. This photo shoot was put together in April when I began drawing inspiration images for my print portfolio to first be shown at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh's quarterly Portfolio Show when I graduated. I wanted to collaborate with another artist specifically for this shoot, and special effects makeup was the way I decided I would go. I knew I had wanted to do a "mermaid" themed shoot with my friend Victoria for quite a while. When your friend has purple and blue hair and your a photographer, there's no question about who to use for a model. Funny enough, I first got the idea to have her model for me because she wore a shirt to school that said something along the lines of "I'm a Mermaid". Later I pulled inspiration from Ephesians 5:14, "This is why it is said, 'Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'" I wanted the shoot to have this idea of a "mermaid" turning away from her life that was not what she wanted and not where she was supposed to be. The crystals on her face would represent the time that she had been in that stagnant place and almost appeared to be dead (rise from the dead). She then "wakes up" and realizes where she not only wants to be, but where she is meant to be.
I ended up using a single image from this shoot for my print portfolio, but I enjoyed the images so much as a whole that I wanted to do something bigger to share them. It didn't dawn on me until a couple weeks ago that I had written a short script for my Conceptual Storytelling class at The Art Institute. This was actually a filmmaking elective rather than a photography class, but I took it to have enough credits to graduate on time. I also thought it would be a neat opportunity to work on developing a story for each of my series, and would help me to see movies (which is where I draw a lot of my inspiration) in another way, as far as the way the story is told.
In the first planning stages, the way I develop a photograph in my head is really like a mini movie trailer, literally playing like a scene of a film rather than just still images. Then in the following planning steps, I'll decide on makeup, hair, location, lighting, etc. I work on this entire process all while trying to figure out who the character is, where they came from, what their motivation is, and what is driving the story.
This script was an in-class assignment, assigned at 8:00 AM and due before class was over at noon. Trying to figure out what the heck I should write about, and never having experience writing a script or really any story that wasn't totally lame or in third grade (especially at 8 in the morning), I kept going back to the idea behind this "mermaid" themed shoot that I had been editing on and off the last several weeks. I kept thinking how amazing it would be to know what was going through this character's mind and why she was where she was and what her expressions meant. The script was written in early June, so the shoot, which took place in early May, had already been completed, meaning the images don't align in complete perfection. However, I think I've found an awesome process to use in order to do a creative shoot like this in the future and have the viewers try to see this "movie trailer" or "short film" using their imagination between the script and the photos I use together.
>>Side note: I really can't believe I'm posting this script for the general public to read because honest to goodness, I've never been so self-conscious about a piece of writing I've ever done in my life. But it's all for a good cause. Below is the script, followed by the images, followed by some behind the scenes. Enjoy!
Behind the Scenes
A very special thanks to the people who made this shoot possible...
Model: Victoria Venskoske
Special Effects & Makeup: Alyssa Emigh
Assistant: Camille Madison
Location: Jeannie Werner
Live by faith & share through fotos.
The Lafferty Family
Portraits of the very sweet Lafferty family in Gibsonia, PA earlier in the summer.
I can't think of a way to explain the capacity of genuine love Terry and Jenny Lafferty have for their children. It astounds me how sweet and patient they are with them all. And what beautiful kids they are inside and out! Thinking of all the laughs while photographing them interacting together just makes me smile. Scrolling through these photos, I can't help but hear those contagious giggles! It was such a beautiful day for photos too! It was a little bright at times with their pretty blue eyes, but I love all of these images showing so much joy and nostalgia of childhood.
(I missed taking photos of Patrick as he was away at school and working. Hopefully we will catch him next time around!)
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West Holmes Lady Knights Tennis Team
Promotional poster and portraits shot for the West Holmes Lady Knights Tennis Team for their Fall 2015 season.
I remember the sports team posters hanging up all over the small towns around my high school, years ago. In pizza shops, in grocery stores, around the classrooms as soon as school started up again in the fall. As small of a town that I come from, it was neat to see such intense portraits of the team members, it was almost like you were looking at a celebrity, even though chances were that you knew them and their entire family. Oddly enough, it's been a secret dream of mine to make one of these posters for a sports team. Maybe it's my love for Nike catalogs or dramatic lighting, but I'm a sucker for the emotion that goes along with it. I was lucky enough to have been approached by the West Holmes High School Lady Knights Tennis Team to put together such a poster. The only 'restrictions' were to use the title "You've Met Your Match" and that I had one day to plan the shoot. Little to no time at all to get everything together, I love the look of these portraits, both individual and team shot. The awesome (and very sweet) ladies a part of the Varsity tennis team and this shoot include Sabryn Cutlip, Maty Macaulay (senior), Erin Stitzlein, Cassidy Mohler (senior), Kate Rodhe, Samara Gallion, Elise Knebusch (senior), and Natalie Molnar (senior). Thank you all for letting me be a part of this shoot!
Below is the final poster I put together for the West Holmes Tennis Team that includes their season schedule and sponsors.
Live by faith & share through fotos.